ABC: Good Game axed as Nichboy and Hex move on

The ABC’s long running gaming review show Good Game has been cancelled by the ABC after a ten year run. The move has been prompted by the departure of main presenters Bajo and Hex who have clearly been keen to move on for some time. The Spawn Point version of the show, aimed at younger gamers will continue but in a different form.

ABC’s official statement said ” sad news. After the program’s summer break. two of the key presenters of Good Game announced they were leaving to pursue other opportuniites. In light of this major setback, and changes in the way audiences are choosing to get their information about gaming, the ABC has decided to end the long and successful run of the show.”

UPDATE 2/2/17 : Reports are alleging that it is actually Hex and Nich ‘Nichboy’ Richardson who have jumped ship to join a rival show on Channel 7 . Bajo aka Steven O’Donnell is staying with the junior version of the show Spawn Point which will continue on ABC Me.

Meanwhile on her Instagram account Hex aka Stephanie Bendixsen said “There are no words to describe how upsetting it is to share this news with you today. Good Game is the place I truly discovered who I was. Found strength and confidence in myself and what I loved to do. The incredible team I’ve worked with have been my family. The show has provided ten, incredible years of a love and passion for gaming, and I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful family for seven of them.

“Rest assured, there is a brilliant team still at the ABC who are ever-committed to making Spawn Point the best possible show it can be for gamers by gamers – for younger viewers on ABC ME.

“This whole journey has been SO special and in the last month incredibly emotional. I count myself lucky to retain such strong, life-long friendships with Bajo and everyone on the team.

“The future holds some pretty big changes for me, however I’m eternally grateful for every blissful experience both online and IRL that I’ve had in my seven years on the show. Thank you for watching and supporting myself and the team for all these years. It means more than you can ever know.
Hex out.”

*Title updated 2/2/17 to take on board the fact that it’s Nichboy and not Bajo leaving the show.

Poldark Series 3 Premieres Sunday 17 June on ABC

Australian fans of Poldark can relax and breathe a sigh of relief as the ABC announce the premiere date of the third season will be just one week behind the UK premiere. The series will air Sunday nights from 18 June at 8.30pm.

Following hot on the heels of the second series, the 9 episode third instalment in this epic Cornish drama, brings a host of new characters and worlds into play. 1794: Ross must traverse new family, new love, and new conflicts, as the French revolution casts a shadow over life in Cornwall. Facing battles both at home and abroad, will Ross answer the call and risk losing everything he holds dear? Our hero, Ross Poldark tries to rebuild his marriage to Demelza (Elanor Tomlinson), but their fragile peace is disturbed by the arrival of her deeply Methodist brothers Sam (Tom York) and Drake Carne (Harry Richardson).

Adapted from Winston Graham’s novels, Poldark is the brooding drama set in 18th-century Cornwall about Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) who is set on the passionate quest to turn around the fortunes of his late father’s estate. Poldark is filmed on location in Cornwall and the Bristol area and at The Bottle Yard Studios.

Tidelands (Netflix 2018)

Netflix’s first Australian production Tidelands follows a former criminal as she returns home to the small fishing village of Orphelin Bay. When the body of a local fisherman washes ashore, she must uncover the town’s secrets while investigating its strange inhabitants, a group of dangerous half-Sirens, half-humans called “Tidelanders.”

“We’re proud these strong Australian storytellers are bringing their vision to the first Australian Netflix original series,” said Erik Barmack, the VP of international original series at Netflix. “We can’t wait to bring the mystery of Tidelands to our members around the world.”

“We are excited to be partnering with Netflix on Tidelands—this story is one that has been itching to be told and we are thrilled to be making it on our home soil in Australia with fantastic creatives and highly skilled crews,” said Tracey Robertson, co-creator and co-executive producer of the show. “The primeval landscapes of Queensland are a perfect setting to tell the story of betrayal, small-town secrets, ancient mythology and, when it comes to family, explore whether blood really is thicker than water.”

Easybeats, The (ABC 2017, Christian Byers, Will Rush)

Two-part mini-series The Easybeats tells the story of five young newly-arrived immigrants who met in a Sydney migrant hostel in the swinging 1960s and went on to take Australian rock’n’roll to the world.

The Easybeats is a story of identity, re-invention and belonging, touching on themes of celebrity and redemption, with a powerful contemporary relevance and a killer soundtrack. While the members of the band each confronted their own sense of self and the loss of identity in pursuit of their success, they came to understand that though they were all from different countries, the sum of the musical parts was quintessentially Australian.

cast
Ashley Zukerman as Ted Albert (Australian music industry pioneer and record producer)
Christian Byers as Stevie Wright
Will Rush as George Young
Mackenzie Fearnley as Harry Vanda
Du Toit Bredenkamp as Dick Diamonde
Arthur McBain as Snowy Fleet